Calcium Alginate And Potassium Alginate Foam Dressings

Wound dressings and bandages are an essential part of first aid kits. There are many types of wound dressings available; some are more known and commonly used like duoderm and tegaderm, while others like alginate dressings may not be as popular. Calcium Alginate dressings have been in use for over five decades but these are not used as frequently as other modern dressings.

The way this works is that the glycoproteins is bound by the carboxymethylcellulose on cell surfaces. This lets absorption and sequestering of inflammatory cells especially the neutrophils. This helps in hastening the re-epithelialization.

The advantage of this kind of dressing is that it gives a moisture balanced milieu. This actually helps slow levels of autolysis and also controls to a very good extent the exudate as the dressing has a gelling property of the dressing, core.

In a study conducted of chronic venous ulcers on which CMC dressings was applied as compared to gauze showed that the use of CMC dressing was better. The chances of healing were 130% more and there was a chance of healing within 18 weeks. It also showed that there were reduced health care costs due to less need of nursing and physician costs that are part and parcel of dressing changes.

The advantage of this kind of dressing is that it gives a moisture balanced milieu. This actually helps slow levels of autolysis and also controls to a very good extent the exudate as the dressing has a gelling property of the dressing, core.

In a study conducted of chronic venous ulcers on which CMC dressings was applied as compared to gauze showed that the use of Potassium Alginate was better. The chances of healing were 130% more and there was a chance of healing within 18 weeks. It also showed that there were reduced health care costs due to less need of nursing and physician costs that are part and parcel of dressing changes.

The Hydrofiber dressings are prescribed to people that have moderate to heavy exudates. These can also be used with a lot of surface bacterial burden.

However, these dressings are not preferred for dry wounds or wounds that have little exudate. The Hydrofiber dressings have good fiber strength and can be loosely packed into sinuses.

They are non-adhesive and need to have a tape or a secondary dressing to keep them in place.